We shouldn’t beat about the bush: Nigeria has an image problem. It dominates West Africa economically and politically, and has produced music and literature whose influence spreads far beyond the continent. But for all this clout, mention the country’s name to the person on the street and they’re more likely to come up with a litany of woe: corruption, ethnic violence and email scams. As a travel destination, Nigeria seems more a place to avoid than to book a flight to.
And yet, Nigeria is a country we’re coming to love. Getting around can sometimes be a little tough, and it’s certainly a challenging destination for first-timers to Africa, but you shouldn’t believe all the scare stories. Lagos is one of the most exuberant cities in Africa, while port city Calabar makes for an enjoyable stopover for travellers on their way to Cameroon. Across Southern Nigeria, old kingdoms carry on their customs, from creating elaborate brass sculptures to venerating the ancient gods. More modern traditions include one of the world’s pioneering primate conservation organisations. In the north, where the land dries out as it stretches towards the desert, Muslim Nigeria thrives in dusty trade cities where memories of the Saharan trade routes still linger. Don’t miss West Africa’s oldest city Kano, and Yankari National Park, the best in the country.
Time GMT/UTC +1
Population 140 million
Borders Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon
Seasons Wet (April–October in north; March–November in south); dry (November–March in north; December–February in south)
Telephone Country code 234; international access code 00
ATMs Some, in bigger cities
Budget US$25 to US$50 per day
Capital Abuja
Visa US$60 to US$100 for one month; best obtained in country of residence
Languages English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Edo, Efik
Area 924, 000 sq km
Money Naira (N); US$1 = N128
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